Luba (Lastovecka) Kruz

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the death of Luba Kruz, who passed away on Friday 10 September 2021 at Trillium Lodge hospice in Parksville, at the age of 66. While Luba fought cancer for four years, she never let this shake her famous resilience, strength, or feisty humour.

Born in 1955 in Glossop, England, Luba trained as a certified chef in Switzerland. Luba emigrated to Canada in 1978 where she met her first husband Terry and made a new life in North Vancouver. She worked at the UBC Hospital kitchen as a dietetic cook until a stroke at age 29 caused the loss of use of her right arm. Despite this, Luba never saw this as a barrier to getting things done or to enjoying her life. After Terry’s death, Luba met Bob with whom she shared the rest of her life. With Bob Luba learned the ropes of sailing life during their many adventures on a 36-foot boat Storm.

When they moved to Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island, Luba quickly became a beloved and active member of her neighbourhood and the wider Parksville community, famous for the parties and barbecues held at their home on Harlequin Crescent. At the SOS thrift shop in Parksville, where Luba volunteered for many years, she brought tireless energy, determination, and positivity to a team she considered a second family.

Luba was an excellent seamstress, cook, baker, crafter and driftwood artist, and cat lover. She loved cooking shows of any kind, she entered – and won – countless contests, and she could always be trusted to find a bargain. There was nothing she enjoyed more than a glass (or few) of wine with her many good friends. She never forgot her Ukrainian heritage, and she often found strength in her spiritual beliefs. Luba was strong, dependable, and true to her word. She was a bright sparkle in all of our lives.

Luba is survived by her partner Bob Garland, sister Anna Mason, niece Kate Mason, and extended family, as well as her very dear friends on Harlequin and in Parksville, across Canada, and in England.

We extend heartfelt thanks to Dr Hunter and the staff at Trillium Lodge Hospice for their tireless care -- they were all a huge comfort to Luba and her family -- as well as to the many other health care workers who helped her along her journey.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday 17 September at 1pm at Yates Memorial, Parksville.

Should anyone wish to make a donation in Luba’s memory, please do so to the charity of your choice.